After a raucous rally at Five Points, members of Resist Wilton Manors joined protestors in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (LBTS).

They were at the intersection of Sea Grape Dr. and Commercial Blvd. to protest the co-naming of Sea Grape for President Donald Trump. Unlike larger demonstrations that often focus on national issues such as LGBTQ rights or voter suppression, this one was rooted in a local dispute over identity and symbolism.

People held signs reading, “Make Lauderdale by the Sea non-partisan again, hands off our street signs,” “no politics boulevard,” and “no politics in paradise” featuring the iconic Adirondack chair from the town’s logo.

“The town of LBTS has had a very non-partisan culture,” LBTS resident Patrick Ferguson said. “That helps preserve the laid back culture we have here.”

The town is, at least nominally, non-partisan. Candidates for office are non-partisan. Ferguson says the move to co-name Sea Grape threatens that vibe.

“We’re not going to sit back and let our peaceful, non-partisan culture be turned around. Our street signs are not political billboards.”

As a former town commissioner, Mark Furth lends a poignant perspective to the protest. “We’re not partisan in LBTS. We’re not Republican and we’re not Democrats. When the town commission decided to name the road after the president, it was being partisan.”

The commission recently voted 3-2 in favor of changing the name during a contentious meeting with about 70 people speaking out. The location was chosen as a nod to the area being home to Broward GOP headquarters.

The co-named sign will go up once administrative hurdles are cleared.

There was no organized counter-protest. One person, though, ignoring the bike lane, drove their bike through the crowd on the sidewalk.

Screenshot via OutSFL Live, YouTube.